
How to Create a Monster
Scareville
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Narrated by:
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Michelle Stull
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By:
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John Ward
About this listen
Halloween has always been a huge deal in Buford, Georgia. The whole town really gets behind decorating and celebrating the spirit of Halloween. For Emily and her family, it always meant more. From competing in the home decorating contest, to being sure to attend all the city’s festivities. Halloween and horror were a way of life for Emily’s artistic family growing up. But over the years, Emily began to notice that Halloween started to change. People weren’t using scary decorations or dressing up in frightening costumes anymore. It was all just silly or cute stuff these days. She wanted nothing more than for Halloween to be scary again…she would soon find out that the mind is a powerful thing.
©2023 John Ward (P)2024 John WardListener received this title free
Ah the nostalgia
Takes me back
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Listener received this title free
Creepy Nostalgia
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Listener received this title free
I enjoyed the main character, Emily, and her passion for all things Halloween. As an adult, I enjoyed the nostalgic factor and I think most middle grade horror readers will appreciate the yearning for a creepier Halloween. There were plenty of creepy moments in the story that will thrill young readers. Although I’m sure the story is still good as a physical book or ebook, I HAVE to recommend listening to the audio…the second half of the story had a couple of moments that spooked me as I drove to work in the dark!
Creepy Middle Grade Horror!
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Listener received this title free
When she draws a scary pumpkin-headed creature, her parents decide to make a figure using this image to add to their yard. And, that's where the fun begins! Emily believes that her creature, dubbed Johnny Rotten (thanks for the Sex Pistols reference!), is coming to life at night and causing havoc around town. But, her parents and friends don't believe her. Will she be able to prove her fears and save the town or will things get worse?
I thoroughly enjoyed this short book, which had vibes like the Goosebumps series. It should appeal to all Halloween and horror lovers, regardless of age. Well-written with plenty of spooky moments, it also has some lessons for the reader along the way.
The narrator of the audiobook did a great job with her different voices for the characters. Her pacing and inflections conveyed just the right amount of scariness to thoroughly engage the listener. I highly recommend this book and look forward to more in the series.
Johnny Rotten lives!
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good, creepy fun
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Listener received this title free
Emily gets disappointed as her childhood years go on. Less and less people seem to enjoy the scariness of Halloween, trading it out for the more cutesy qualities. All she wants is for people to go back to creepy Halloween. She thinks about it and ends up drawing what she think the spirit of Halloween would look like - creepy pumpkin head, sharp candy corn teeth, swirling lollipop eyes, long pumpkin stem fingers, flannel shirt. Her parents see her drawing, love it, and decide to make Johnny Rotten a reality as a yard decoration. Emily is ecstatic, excited to have a chance at winning the yard decorating contest over her neighbors.
But Emily's joy quickly disappears as the days go on. Reports of a pumpkin masked vandal are reported nightly on the news, one that looks in children's windows to scare them. One with a flannel shirt and a terrifying face. One that sounds an awful lot like her drawing... But it can't be Johnny Rotten, can it?
The entire book was such a fun experience. The story was done so well, the cover art is creepy as heck, and the narrator did an incredible job.
Like the first in the Scareville series, I got a TON of nostalgic Goosebumps feelings when reading this book. The story intrigued me and kept me interested. It was creepy enough for an older elementary/early middle school book, and I think kids and adults wanting to relive their childhood reads will love it!
Trying To Make Halloween Scary Again Goes Too Far
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Listener received this title free
My daughter and I both loved it
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Listener received this title free
This is a YA novel that gave me nostalgic feelings toward Goosebumps, and just being a kid. I easily got lost in this story, which helped those nostalgic feelings along.
•5 Stars: My spouse rarely reads. We listened to this on a rainy day, while we cleaned house. Throughout, he would make comments or remarks about certain parts of the book that he agreed with. Like the town’s feelings toward Halloween. At one point he asked: Is this a Goosebumps book?
When we paused, he couldnt wait for me to be able to play it again!!
I thought it was written well. The characters had good development and proper actions and responses for their age. There were parts that made me comment and even gasp. I felt like it had an appropriate ending.
I would definitely recommend this book to.. well anyone. It is a YA book, but even if you dont have kids or they arent reading - I recommend this book for you too. My spouse and I really enjoyed it.
I was able to listen to this on Audible (Narrated by: Michelle Stull)
5 stars!!
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Keep em coming
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Listener received this title free
The town's spirited Halloween celebrations left me longing for a community like Buford. The audiobook, a quick but immersive journey, held my attention throughout. Johnny Rotten's description perfectly captures the eerie essence of Halloween. The narrative advocates for injecting authentic horror back into the festivities, making it a compelling call to rediscover the essence of Halloween. This was my first Scareville experience, and I can't wait to read more spooky adventures from this series. 🎃
Quick listen
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